The Perfect Scapegoat, Like Mother, Like Daughter

The members of DA took one last reluctant look at the Room of Requirement before leaving one by one.

Aaron showed no intention of leaving. He casually found a seat, sat down, and then focused his attention on the task panel.

[Be a responsible Prefect (from now until the end of this semester);]

The reward for completing the task is 1200 Magic Points; there is no penalty for failing the task. [Accepted]

[Teach students who wish to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts (requires fulfilling the duties of a teacher); 500 Magic Points reward for completion; Completed]

Upon seeing that the second task was completed, he suddenly felt an urge to cry.

After nearly half a year of hard work, the harvest has finally come. Although the effort and labor were not proportional, it was still a great comfort.

"Receive."

"Congratulations, host, you have gained 500 Magic Points. You now have 730 Magic Points, just enough for some spending." The system said somewhat ingratiatingly, "Mist Illusion Sleep only has 600 Magic Points, right?"

"Tsk!" Aaron clicked his tongue, looking disgusted. "Can't you have any shame?"

"The system needs to be upgraded too!"

Preliminary estimates suggest the host needs to spend at least 12,000 more Magic Points to barely meet the upgrade requirements.

"Twelve thousand." Aaron gasped. "You really dare to dream, but you can forget about it for the next three years."

Before Voldemort dies, I will put most of my Magic Points into Magical Energy. If the software is upgraded, the hardware must keep up!

Therefore, all 730 Magic Points were added to Magical Energy.

system:...

Feeling the surge of Magic Power, Aaron's lips curled into a slight smile, his sense of security increasing.

Creak!

A dozen minutes later, the door of the Room of Requirement suddenly opened.

Just as Aaron thought Dolores Umbridge was coming, Harry, his two friends rushed in.

"What a generous gift of crabs! What are you three doing here?"

"I knew we'd left someone behind." Hermione glared at him. "You have to come with us. You can't stay here."

"That probably won't work. Since Marietta has decided to betray us, she'll definitely sell us out completely."

Dolores Umbridge knew the location, obtained the list, and prepared the manpower for the arrest. She would not give up if she came up empty-handed.

"So you're planning to stay behind by yourself?" Harry asked.

"Obviously," Aaron said, both anxious and helpless. "Who told me to be the teacher? In other words, I'm the leader, so when necessary, I'm naturally the only one who can take the blame."

"But the DA was our idea to organize," Hermione said with some self-reproach. "Even if you have to bear Dolores Umbridge's wrath, it shouldn't be you."

"Come on! Even if she grabs me, she might not be able to do anything to me, but if it were you guys, I don't need to remind you what the consequences would be!"

The three were speechless for a moment, and they had to admit that Aaron's words made sense.

Dolores Umbridge might be wary of his family background and might only put him in solitary confinement for a few days, but the three of them are a different story. If they fall into her hands, they will most likely be expelled.

"Maybe the situation isn't that serious!" Ron said weakly.

"Do you believe that?" Aaron asked, speechless. "Or do you think Dolores Umbridge has any conscience at all?"

"This..."

"Alright, if you don't like it, hurry up and leave. I won't be responsible if you get caught."

The three looked at each other, their hearts heavy with sorrow, and walked outside.

But as soon as they stepped out of the door, the whole room began to shake slightly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of the explosion grew clearer and clearer. Aaron seemed to have thought of something and immediately pulled them back.

"What's going on?" Ron asked nervously.

"What could it be? Blasting Curse to bombard the gate." Aaron said irritably, "You wouldn't leave when I told you to, and now it might not be so easy for you to leave."

"What should we do then?" Hermione's face darkened; she knew without a doubt who was outside the door.

The worst thing still happened; they were caught red-handed.

"Don't speak, don't make a sound," Aaron said very seriously, then cast a Disillusionment Charm on them. "You can leave after she takes me away."

Just as the three people's bodies became transparent, the door was blown open completely.

In the wispy smoke, Dolores Umbridge's pink dress stood out, and a smug smirk graced her face. To her left and right were the administrator, Argus Filch, and the minister's secretary, Percy Weasley.

"Where are they? Where have they all gone?"

When Dolores Umbridge discovered that Aaron was the only one in the house, he was immediately horrified.

This was not what she had imagined; cracking down on a criminal gang and arresting students who violated discipline were two completely different things.

"Professor Dolores Umbridge," Aaron pointed to himself sheepishly, "I am absolutely certain that I am a person."

Dolores Umbridge's lips twitched slightly, and his toad face turned as red as a volcano about to erupt. "Don't play dumb with me. Do you know what I'm talking about?"

"That's asking too much. How am I supposed to know what you're talking about if you don't tell me?"

"Ha!" Dolores Umbridge sneered, looking smug. "Mr. Gaius, I've been tolerating you since last year, and I've turned a blind eye to the mistakes you've made, but that doesn't mean I'll pretend nothing happened."

"I understand." Aaron nodded calmly.

"What I hate most is your attitude," Dolores Umbridge pointed angrily at Aaron. "You're so pretentious, as if you've never taken me seriously."

"Be more confident." Aaron casually picked at his ear. "Take away the word 'seems'."

"You..." Dolores Umbridge laughed angrily, "I'll tell you clearly, Dumbledore's Army's situation has alarmed the Minister for Magic, and he's in the Headmaster's Office right now."

Moreover, we have ample evidence and witnesses; don't think you can get away with this so easily.

Aaron glanced thoughtfully at Percy Weasley standing to the side, as if he understood something. "Although I don't understand what you're saying, it seems you're here for Dumbledore?"

Dolores Umbridge snorted coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"I think you should come with us to the Headmaster's Office now."

Percy and Filch stood to Aaron's left and right, seemingly worried that he would run away.

"No need to be so tense," Aaron chuckled. "If I wanted to resist, even all of you combined wouldn't be enough."

"That makes sense." Dolores Umbridge nodded with a smile. "Weasley, take his Wand away."

"Just take it out yourself, don't make things difficult for me," Percy said calmly.

Aaron shrugged nonchalantly and placed the Wand in his hand. "The Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will be grateful..."

Disappointed? But I don't think I did anything wrong.

If they had listened to me and supported the Ministry of Magic, everything would have been very different.

"No, I want to say it's not disappointment, it's heartache."

Percy was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.

Aaron continued, "Mr. Weasley was hospitalized during the Christmas holidays, and you didn't visit him, did you?"

"I know he's alright," Percy said with a hint of pride. "As the minister's secretary, it's easy for me to figure things out."

"So that's your reason for not going to see him?"

"I..."

"Enough, enough," Umbridge interrupted. "Take him away first, the minister is waiting!"

"Thank you for the reminder, Deputy Minister," Percy said seriously. "We should get going."

After confirming they had left, Ron dispelled the Disillusionment Charm and cursed indignantly, "Percy, he actually... went too far! How did he become like this? He's a complete lackey."

"He will come, your parents have always believed that," Hermione said hesitantly, "Provided he knows he's wrong."

"Wrong?" Ron curled his lip in disdain. "He couldn't be more confident now."

We all know he craves power, but to be so ruthless as to betray even one's family for power is going too far, let alone now that he's considering sacrificing family for the greater good. Me, Fred, George, and Ginny —the four of us are all on that list."

"Wait, speaking of the list," Harry paused, "The list is still with Aaron, right?"

"It should be fine, right?" Ron said somewhat uncertainly.

"There's definitely no problem." Hermione was very dissatisfied with Ron's skepticism. "You know him well; he would never hand over the list."

"I believe that, but I'm worried about something else right now," Harry said in a deep voice. "Aaron just said that Fudge is going to do something to Dumbledore."

Hearing this, Hermione and Ron felt a chill run down their spines.

They are too busy taking care of themselves to do anything but worry and console themselves.

Third floor, at the entrance to the Headmaster's Office.

"Fizzing Whizbees".

Umbridge uttered the words joyfully, and the stone beast jumped aside, revealing a slowly rising spiral staircase.

They climbed the stairs and barged straight into the Headmaster's Office without even knocking.

The Headmaster's Office was unusually lively. In addition to Dumbledore and Fudge, there was also the vice-headmaster, Professor McGonagall, a dark-skinned, bald Warlock, and a strong, short-haired male wizard.

"Minister Fudge, it's been a long time."

"Mr. Gaius," Fudge said somewhat awkwardly, "You should know why I've come here today, right?"

Aaron glanced at Dumbledore imperceptibly. "I've guessed a little bit."

"So..." Fudge paused, then asked meaningfully, "You won't get in my way, will you?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow; he could read the meaning behind Fudge's words.

If you don't interfere with my dealings with Dumbledore, everything is fine. But if you decide to stand against me, then don't blame me for being impolite.

Fudge was unwilling to offend a powerful Warlock family, and if it could preserve his power, he would do so without hesitation.

"Of course." Aaron nodded slightly. "I still support the minister's decision. I'm not unwilling to cooperate if necessary. However... Professor Umbridge seems to have a slight opinion about me."

Fudge feigned surprise, then glared fiercely at Umbridge.

Hehe!

Umbridge clenched her teeth in anger, but after a moment she chose to back down and forced a stiff smile. "Minister, this may be a misunderstanding. I will find a chance to explain."

"Mr. Gaius, look..."

"No need for explanations; if you're not being honest, no amount of talk will make you a laughing stock."

I'll be grateful to Merlin as long as she doesn't deliberately target me in the future.

Umbridge:...

What do you mean? You're trying to embarrass me in front of Fudge? Don't I have any dignity?

"No, I can guarantee that." Fudge was both amused and exasperated, then looked at Dumbledore with a gloating expression. "Unfortunately, the High Inquisitor have discovered an illegal organization at this school."

I think you can explain it; I'll give you a chance.

"I really don't know that," Dumbledore said.

"Haha!" Fudge laughed smugly. "I knew you'd say that, but I have a witness."

"Minister, I'll go and bring the whistleblower over right now," Umbridge said.

Go! Hurry up.

Nothing compares to a good witness, doesn't it, Dumbledore?

"That's right, Cornelius."

A few minutes later, Umbridge hurriedly returned, accompanied by a Ravenclaw witch, none other than the informant Marietta Eckmore.

However, she behaved very strangely, covering her cheeks with her hands and only being able to carefully observe her surroundings through the gaps between her fingers.

"If only I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place!" Aaron sighed.

Marietta trembled slightly and almost lost her balance.

"Don't be nervous, my dear," Umbridge comforted. "You did a very good job. The minister is very pleased with you. He will tell your the Mother that you are a good girl."

"Minister, she's Mrs. Ekko's daughter, from the Department of Department of Magical Transportation's Floo Network Authority. She's the one who helps us monitor the Hogwarts Floo Network."

"Very good, very good performance." Fudge clapped. "Like mother, like daughter."

"You're absolutely right, like mother, like daughter," Aaron sneered.

Fudge pretended not to notice the sarcasm in Aaron's words, and instead looked at Marietta warmly, "Darling, don't be shy, tell us what you reported."

Marietta raised her head tremblingly, Fudge's face immediately changed. He took a few steps back in terror, almost falling into the fire.

Others also saw her swollen face, which was covered with dense, purple pustules that formed the word 'informant,' making her look ferocious and terrifying.

"Pfft!" Aaron laughed at the most inopportune moment. "Sorry, I didn't want to laugh either, but I really couldn't help it."

Marietta immediately buried her face in her robe, revealing only her misty, tearful eyes.

"Alright, tear off your robe!" Umbridge said impatiently. "Nobody here cares about your shamelessness. Go tell the minister right now."

"Hahaha..." Aaron burst into laughter. "Don't misunderstand, I just thought of something funny. You guys continue."

Marietta seemed to be struck by the shrill laughter; she lowered her head even further and began to sob and cry.

"Fine, I'll explain!" Umbridge said helplessly. "Last night, Miss Ekko came to me and said that there is a Secret Chamber on the Seventh Floor called the Room of Requirement, where some kind of gathering is taking place, which is a serious violation of the Ministry of Magic's laws."

But just as she was about to continue speaking, the curse on her face began to take effect. After seeing her reflection in the mirror, she... was so heartbroken that she didn't want to say anything more.